BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Melvin Longclaws was born on February 13, 1957 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada to Eliza Longclaws and Clifford Chaske. He was raised at Sioux Village until he was 8 years old when he went into Boarding School until he was 14. He was reunited with his family until age 18 when he went into the military. Upon completion of military duty, he became a roofer for 25 years in various places including Calgary, Winnipeg and Brandon. Upon retirement he returned to the Long Plain Reserve, Manitoba. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, Perspectives on War, Shared History, Manifest Destiny, Dakota Hopes for the Future, Dakota Contributions to North America.